Got a new 2007 Ram 1500ST short bed, six cylinder, six speed a few months ago. Bought it off the lot with minimal options/accessories, so no receiver hitch. However,all my trucks end up with ahitch in the back and tow hooks up front. It makes them far more useful for what I use a truck for. So, for the last few months, I had been using my 62 Dodge Town Wagon, D100 as a tow vehicle waiting for the spare cash for nice accessories for the new truck.

Income tax refund comes in (and goes right back out), and in addition to 8 tires (four for my daughter's Camry, four for the 68 Dodge D100 short bed) I ordered areceiver hitch and a tow hookset from the dealer for a grand total of $250 including tax.Normally I don't buy dealer branded accessories due to cost/quality issues, but a 12k lbs capacity receiver hitch was$109,complete with all bolts, hardware, receiver plug anda nifty special tool tofish a bolt, and washer plate down the frame tube.It took me 20 minutes to complete the installation and it looks factory.

The tow hooks (at $114)took a few minutes longer since thefront bumper had to be pulled first (8nuts), but thetow hook set was a massive casting the width of the frame rails, with all thehardware needed. The instructions on both items were clear, with excellent details anddesigned for the non-mechanic. I would get a buddy to help reinstall the front bumper, It can be doneas a one man operation, but two men would make it go faster.

You will need two different torque wrenches, a 1/2 drive with a 100 ft-lbs capacity for the hitch (plus a 15/16 wrench and socket and a 3/4 socket), and a 3/8 drive with a 18mm deep socket and a 75 ft-lbs capacity for the front.

I found these accessoriesvalue pricedwith excellent fit and finish and easy to install...

Oh,my background?25 years mechanic experience, and an advanced degree in engineering. Most of my mechanic work now is restorations for personal and family use,and keeping our fleet of vintage trucks and motorcycles running.

Howard

 

Thanks for the post. Great info.

 

Good info...... Can you tell me two things. Did you have an opening in front of the vehicle for both tow hooks?
And, was there holes already fabricated into the frame, where you just had to screw the tow hooks in?
I was thinking about getting tow hooks.

 

space was available in the bumper for the hooks and all holes were already punched. It was purely a bolt up job needing ONLY a 3/8 rachet, a 18mm deep socket and a torque wrench. If the nuts are really tight, you might need a longer rachet handle, but I broke them free with a box wrench.

good luck and let me know how it works out for you.

Howard

 

Yeah I installed the receiver hitch that I got from Mopar as well. That whole fishing tool was pretty cool once I figured out to do it but the instructions were pretty easy to follow. It has worked out great for towing and looks factory. A great piece! Not a bad price either.

 

I agree the fishing tool was easy to use, but I would figure they could come up with a more practical way to bolt the hitch on. Also when I bought my truck it came with the tow package, but for some reason it did not come with the hitch, I always wondered about that.

 

Ummmmm, yeah, right. Like I'm supposed to believe you have all that behind you and you still bought a Dodge.....! [sm=joke.gif]

BTW, my post has absolutely no merit. I'm just a drunk post *****. [sm=teetertooter.gif][sm=icon_guiness.gif]

Back to my Tequila now.....(DF really needs a "post *****" emoticon)

 

Do you really have to pull the front bumper off to install the tow hooks

 

yes you do, takes about 10 minutes, 8 18mm nuts, I did them with a 1/2" rachet and a box/end wrench, put them back on with a 18mm deep socket on 3/8" drive and a 75ft-lb 3/8" drive torque wrench to the recommended values, some 70 and some were 75. Get a buddy to help you put the bumper back on, it will save 15 minutes, I used my floor jack to hold it in place while I got the nuts started. There wasn't enough clearance for a deep 18mm socket on a 1/2 rachet to get them all, and the studs were just a little too long for a short socket.

Now I have to pull the bumper off the 68 D100 and get it straight and painted.

Howard

 

Thanks hetkind, a friend of mine just bought a hitch yesterday and we are supposed to put it on today! Your info should be quite helpful!